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Chapter 33: Night Leopard Attacks! The Target That Must Be Killed
Marine Headquarters.
When Steel Bone Kong heard the news of Kamael Saint's death, anger surged across his face. Standing at the top floor, he gazed toward the distant horizon.
"Damn Rocks! Those bastards really are a pack of lunatics!"
"To kill a Celestial Dragon without hesitation... If Whitebeard and Tree Demon Lotte escape, it will undoubtedly stir up new waves across these seas!"
"But as long as we kill Tree Demon Lotte, we can at least offset some of the damage."
"That kid growing stronger will inevitably become a threat to Marine Headquarters."
Steel Bone Kong muttered while narrowing his eyes.
To him, the life or death of Celestial Dragon Kamael Saint was irrelevant.
As Fleet Admiral, what concerned him far more were the consequences of this Celestial Dragon's death.
Whether it was the stolen Heavenly Tribute or the slain Lulusia king, if word spread, most affiliated nations would be shocked.
The royal families would surely make a fuss afterward—a major headache.
The Celestial Dragon's death was merely the spark.
"Since that bastard Kamael Saint is already dead, tell Night Leopard and Zephyr to prepare—no need to hold back anymore."
"Kill Tree Demon Lotte with full force!"
Steel Bone Kong clenched his fist resolutely.
He pulled out his Den Den Mushi and dialed directly.
...
Several days later.
Aboard the pirate ship over a hundred meters long.
Lotte and Whitebeard returned fully loaded with vast treasure.
The crew members who had accompanied them were excitedly holding a victory banquet.
Not only had they perfectly completed the captain's mission this time,
They had even slain a Celestial Dragon who had come from the Holy Land to an affiliated nation.
If Captain Rocks learned of this,
He would surely reward them generously!
Lotte and Whitebeard sat at the bow, drinking the fine sake plundered from the royal treasury.
"Gurararara!"
"We killed a Celestial Dragon, yet these past few days the nearby Marine branches and World Government ships haven't even tried to stop us."
"Looks like our pirate crew's reputation really is something now."
Whitebeard drained his sake cup in one gulp.
He looked at Lotte and laughed heartily.
If things continued this smoothly, they would reach the rendezvous point in no time.
But Lotte wasn't as optimistic as Whitebeard.
He took a small sip of sake.
Setting down the cup, he shrugged with a smile toward Whitebeard.
"The Marine branches and World Government ships aren't coming—probably just because they don't want to die pointlessly. But that doesn't mean they'll let us go."
"Though we haven't received any further orders from Captain Rocks,"
"We should still be cautious on the rest of the journey."
Lotte didn't believe the World Government and Marine Headquarters would let them kill a Celestial Dragon and walk away so easily.
But with him and Whitebeard fighting together now,
Unless Marine Headquarters sent an Admiral-level figure, they posed no real threat.
If not for the Supreme Grade Sword tied to this Heavenly Tribute,
Lotte probably wouldn't have bothered joining.
After all, even such vast treasure—in Lotte's eyes with the sign-in system—wasn't worth as much as a single Poneglyph.
Whitebeard shook his head.
He knew his earlier words had been too optimistic, so he didn't argue.
Just as he was about to refill his cup,
A powerful threat sensed through Observation Haki
Made Whitebeard's expression change. Without hesitation, he gripped Murakumogiri tightly and stood up from the bow, looking into the distance.
"Kid, looks like you were right."
"The World Government and Marine Headquarters really aren't planning to let us go easily."
"This time we get to have a proper fight!"
From his Observation Haki,
The overwhelming aura was even stronger than those he had clashed with before, like Garp—surpassing Vice Admiral level.
It had reached true Admiral tier!
Even compared to Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong or Captain Rocks, it was only slightly weaker.
Lotte also rose following Whitebeard's movement.
He narrowed his eyes toward the distance.
Though his Observation Haki was far inferior to Whitebeard's,
That dragon-like surge of malice still made Lotte frown slightly.
"Looks like Marine Headquarters really takes us seriously."
In both their eyes,
A single Marine fast ship stood quietly blocking the pirate vessel's path ahead.
Clearly, they had calculated their route in advance.
The two figures aboard the fast ship
Also came clearly into Lotte and Whitebeard's view.
Many pirates on the ship saw the two Marines and their faces turned deathly pale. They instinctively retreated several steps in terror.
"How... how is this possible?!"
"Why... why is an Admiral here?!"
The figures on the fast ship were none other than Black Arm Zephyr in Vice Admiral attire,
And beside him, a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties.
But what struck fear into their hearts
Was the Admiral's coat draped over the elder—Justice boldly written on the flowing white cape.
One of Marine Headquarters' strongest forces had arrived in person!
When Whitebeard saw the elder's face, his expression darkened.
"Night Leopard actually came out himself. Steel Bone Kong really has guts—aren't you afraid your headquarters will get raided?"
"Looks like things just got troublesome."
From what Whitebeard knew,
Admiral Night Leopard was one of the rare few who reached the top of Marine Headquarters' strongest forces through an Animal-type Devil Fruit.
It was said that criminals caught by him
Rarely even realized how they were captured before being effortlessly defeated.
Even among the current three Admirals of Marine Headquarters,
Night Leopard's speed was the fastest!
This alone showed that Steel Bone Kong had no intention of letting them escape.
Lotte looked at the two figures on the ship with interest.
Leaving aside Black Arm Zephyr—who would later become an Admiral candidate—
From what he knew, the current three Admirals were already past their prime, their strength somewhat declined from their youth.
Though Night Leopard was formidable,
Years of service as Admiral likely left him with accumulated hidden injuries. Whether he could match the two of them was still uncertain.
After all, an Admiral was still an Admiral.
Their strength was on a completely different level from ordinary Vice Admirals!
Night Leopard's eyes locked tightly onto Lotte.
This seemingly carefree youth was his must-kill target this time!
He absolutely could not be allowed to return alive!
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